The new head of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, says the central bank's commitment to boosting the economy, especially the still struggling labor market, will be needed for some time to come.
In her first public speech since becoming Fed chair two months ago, Yellen said slack in the job market showed the Fed's easy money policies were helping the U.S. economy still struggling with the scars of the great recession.
Her remarks signal that, even after the Fed phases out its monthly bond purchases later this year, it has no plans to raise the key short-term rate anytime soon.
Her remarks calmed investors, many of whom had grown anxious the Fed might raise short-term rates by mid-2015.